VOICE

Part One

I am transferred to Sweet Amoris High School. And I'll tell you what, being the new girl is tough. The 'chosen past time' of Amber, the freaking out of the principal, the tiring club activities, being the 'runner' of the Student Council's president named Nathaniel, tolerating the clinging habit of my childhood and close friend (despite of the fact that he confesses to me every day) whose name is Kentin but prefers to be called Ken, and the favorite hater of the biggest jerk in the world namely Castiel.

But I got through it all. The two people who helped me to adjust are Iris, with her everlasting encouragement, and Ken, whose carefree, funny, and cute personality always make me smile. I never really mind when he's hanging around me. It's somewhat flattering to know that somebody likes me. But it changed when Ken transferred to a military school because of Amber's bullying. The other one who seems I can also lean on to is Nathaniel, although he keeps scolding me whenever I get into trouble (and yeah, he's somehow became my brotherly figure).

But it's somehow different with Castiel. As I've said, he's the biggest jerk in the world. Whenever I try to talk to him, he will give me a nasty comment or will try to push me away. Whenever I try to make him smile or just a little laugh, he will grunt and frown at me. Whenever I try to get near him and try to make him open up a little to me, he will always push me away and tries to keep me away as far as possible.

I just really can't understand myself. Why am I always pushing myself to him? Why can't I just leave him alone? Why do I feel like I need to be always right there for him? Why do I feel that behind that hard exterior of his is a soft heart? Why the hell do I feel like I always need to be near him?

Days passed and also weeks until I wake up one morning with the big truth ringing in my head. I have fallen for Castiel. I have learned to love him. I love him! But I can never ever tell him that! If he's stubborn then I am as much as stubborn as he is so I won't let him know what I am feeling about him, no matter how tempting it is!

After some other few weeks, I have met many other friends. And the biggest surprise is: Ken is back! And the hell, what happened to him? Did a train named 'puberty' hit him? He has changed—a lot! He even said that he doesn't want to be called Ken anymore but only Kentin. If back then he was cute, well, I can't help to admit that he's handsome ('hot' as Amber put it)! I can't believe that my friend can change so much. And also, I think he has gotten over his little puppy love for me. The only bad thing is it seems that Amber has told him some bad lies about me. But thank God, he still believes me in the end. He really is a true friend. He even promised me that no matter what, he will always believe in me and will never leave my side.

"Daydreaming again? Are you high or what?"

I open my eyes. Currently, I am sitting on a bench at the school's courtyard. I look up to Castiel and see his usual smug face.

"Well, it's good for the brain you know?" I smile at him, trying to lighten him up. But still he retains that smug attitude of his.

"Really? You have a brain?" he teases.

I stand up in front of him, "I have!" and grin.

He sneers. "Sure, you have…" and he walks away.

This is just like our daily routine. I will try to soften him and he will just retain that cocky personality of his. But I hope—no—I know that someday, he will realize that he doesn't really need to constantly be a suck up ass. I know that someday he will realize that he can open up to me, he can trust me, and he can tell me everything. Maybe, someday he'll come to realize about my…feelings for him. Whatever he says to me, I will not give up on him. And I have made a promise to myself that I will stick up with him no matter what.

~~~~~~~Next day~~~~~~~~~

"Good morning!"

I turn around swiftly in surprise after closing the gate of my apartment.

"Kentin!" I breathe in surprise. "Don't startle me like that!"

He just chuckles at me as he casually holds my hand. I never mind it, for I already consider him as my best friend.

"I heard there's going to be a new student," he says out of blue.

"Really?" I just utter. I'm not really interested about it (but I'm secretly hoping that the new student isn't a guy like Dake!).

He nods. "I heard she's a band singer but I don't really care. I just heard some students gossiping around the halls."

"I see. By the way, Kentin, I have something to tell you!" I stop walking and skip in front of him, smiling widely.

"What?"

"Amber likes you."

Whoever out there is surprised to hear that, it's true. Amber likes him. She even came to me one time and asked for advice but still she was showing up her big ego which didn't get in the way of her obvious embarrassment.

I notice that Kentin falls silent. His head is down. Can it be that he's affected? Does he like her, too? Then I see his shoulders shake. He lifts his head up…laughing!

(KENTIN'S POV)

He just laughs at her statement. Amber likes him? So his plan is working all along.

"What's funny?" she asks, clearly curious.

He finally composes himself. "It's just that—oh, let her be! Everything is going according to the plan!"

Her brows furrow instantly. "What plan?"

He just chuckles a little then tugs on her hand to pull her closer to him. Then he leans to her ear and whispers, "My plan of revenge," and pulls away, smiling at her.

"What?"

"Actually, before I even transferred, I've been thinking of a plan on how to get back on that girl for what she did to me back then and especially what she did to you. And I came out of a plan which involves her falling for me and then I will dump her once I'm done."

"That's—That's quite mean, don't you think?" she says worriedly.

"And don't you agree with me when I say she's far from the word mean?" he says to her, gently squeezing her hand. "I just want to get back on her from what she has done to you. I know that while I wasn't around, she made your life hard, right? I just want to do this for you."

It's purely true. He wants to get some revenge not for his self but for her—his most important person. Even after being gone for quite a long time, he may have changed but his feelings for her is still the same. He can't help but to admit how idiotic he acted before he went to the military school but now, all he wants to do is to make up to her for his past idiocy and show her more of what he is and can be for her. He will do everything for her and only her.

He is pulled back to reality when she touches his cheek as a gentle smile grace upon her face. "You don't have to do anything mean, Kentin. You don't have to do anything for me," says she. "You're back and you're here, making me smile and helping me through the day, it's enough."

And that somehow makes him blush. She is still the same after all the time he's gone. She's still warm and kind. And he knows that she'll stay that way no matter what.